High School Students THINK ENERGY!

On November 23rd Western Wayne High School Students in grade 9 experienced the THINK! ENERGY Innovation Program. This program is an interactive, hands-on presentation with a take home energy efficiency kit for each participating student and teacher. The program teaches the importance of energy, natural resources and environmental resources, and gives each participating student’s family energy-efficient technologies to install at home. Students and Staff in the high school received innovation kits on November 22nd. The kits included pipe insulation, weather stripping, outlet gaskets, a furnace filter whistle, a water conserving shower head as well an advanced smart energy power strip. 214 innovation kits were distributed overall. This comes to 4,632 new LED bulbs distributed to the Western Wayne School District since the program’s launch in 2015. This program will also result in a number of mini grants for the teachers in the high school as well. The Think Energy Innovation Program has been brought to the schools by the National Energy Foundation, PPL Electric Utilities and the Pennsylvania Department of Education. For more information or questions, please contact National Energy Foundation at 1-855-494-2942 or email stephanie.dorman@nef1.org From left: Gene Shultz of PPL and Dr. Nebzydoski, Western Wayne science teacher

Students Place at Regional Chorus

Western Wayne students Joanna Regalbuto, senior, and Amanda David, junior, attended PMEA District 9 Chorus on Thursday, Feb. 10, and Friday, Feb. 11, at Pittston Area High School for two full days of rehearsing and performing in an honor ensemble. Both Western Wayne students placed in their auditions and will represent Western Wayne at Region IV Chorus.

Calling all students grades 9-12!



Calling all students grades 9-12. We are looking for athletes and partners to join our team.
Our club promotes a fun, competitive, and inclusive environment for students withand without disabilities.
Interested students, please sign the sign up sheet located in the high school office or contact Coach Cardamone by 2/28/2022.
For more information contact Coach Cardamone. Contact information is listed below.

Siena Cardamone

  • Coach
    1 (800) 321 – 9973 option 4
    scardamone@westernwayne.org
    or scarda@wwsd.io

Students Receive Beats Wireless Headphones

(L to R) Mallory McCarthy, Aubrey Nixon, Sean Galliford, Daniel Hall, and Dr. Mark Nebzydoski.

Dr. Mark Nebzydoski’s and Mrs. Maria Phillip’s classes participated in the rEV electrifying educational experience program this fall. Four students were chosen by the National Energy Foundation (NEF) to receive a pair of Beats Wireless headphones for their online share form submission evaluating the program. The winners included Mallory McCarthy, Aubrey Nixon, Sean Galliford, and Daniel Hall.
rEV is an electrifying educational experience driving electric vehicle (EV) adoption through an interactive presentation for students. Awareness of the benefits of EVs remains a significant barrier to mass-market adoption and rEV’s curriculum aims to dispel common misconceptions and promote future EV advocacy. The program is designed to educate students on the benefits of EVs through a STEM-based multimedia curriculum. After the experience, students and parents alike will understand the economic, environmental, and societal benefits of buying an EV. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the national level rEV Challenge, creating a video to compel their friends and family to learn more about the benefits and technology of EVs.
The school-to-home approach will bring this knowledge and awareness into students’ households to accelerate market transformation. EVs are an integral part of the future of energy and the ongoing transformation of the smart grid with high school students as the next generation of vehicle owners.
After a successful spring launch, NEF expanded the program further to reach 49 states, 500 schools and 44,000 students in the fall of 2021. The fall expansion also included the rEV Interactive Experience being presented in classrooms by our Energy Educators. Returning to the classroom has allowed us to further connect with students and see their excitement to take an active role in shaping their energy future.
NEF is putting middle and high school students in the driver’s seat by dispelling the myths surrounding EVs and giving students the opportunity to look into the future of transportation. With engaging program materials and a school-to-home connection, rEV is already making its mark in schools across the nation.
We’re excited to continue cultivating an energy literate society through EV education. Want to join our mission? Contact Chris Reilly at chris@nef1.org or 847-514-7626 to learn more!

Dr. Nebzydoski receives Wayne County Community Foundation Grant

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) students approved and proposed to the Board of the Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) a mini grant application for the purchase of a chiller for Dr. Mark Nebzydoski’s Pennsylvania Trout in the Classroom (PATIC) program. The chiller is a necessary component for raising trout in the classroom as it maintains the proper temperature for egg hatching and fry development of trout. Dr. Nebzydoski’s science classes are engaged in the PA Fish Commission’s Trout in Classroom Program and had gathered most of the components necessary to raise trout from eggs for release in the spring but needed a chiller. This mini grant fulfils that final component.
The Wayne County Community Foundation is a nonprofit foundation whose primary goal is to build a charitable reserve of funds for the current and future needs of Wayne County. The Foundation uses grant resources to support a wide variety of community organizations, empowering them where possible to thrive, grow, and become self-sustaining. The Wayne County Community Foundation, 214 Ninth Street, Honesdale, PA 18431, Phone: 570-251-9993, Email: info@waynefoundation.org https://www.waynefoundation.org/

Western Wayne Participates in FBLA Regional Conference

Row 1: Stevie Wilkinson, Gabby Tetreault, Ava Compton, Kayla Stokesberry, Marshall Davis, Hunter Schmitt, and Morgan Coccodrilli.
Row 2: Skylar Long, Ella Pavlovich, Rachel Hoch, Lou Azzato, Jamie Chapman, Alex Chapman, Gavin Murphy, and Adrian Agnello.

The 2021-2022 Region 22 FBLA Virtual Regional Conference was held in January. Western Wayne FBLA had 58 members place in the top 5 at the conference. Of those 58 members 51 are eligible to compete at the State Leadership Conference in Hershey in April. Jared Goldman was also elected as Region 22 Secretary for the 2022-2023 school year.

2021-2022 FBLA Regional Conference Results
NamePlaceEvent 
Skylar Long*Second PlaceAccounting I 
Laynee NugentFifth PlaceAccounting I 
Emilie McAllister*Second PlaceAdvertising 
Kylie Merring*Third PlaceBusiness Calculations 
Eleanor Black*Fourth PlaceBusiness Communication 
Catherine CavageFifth PlaceBusiness Communication 
Alexandra Butler* Sarah Collins* Morgan Heenan*First PlaceBusiness Management 
Ella Dougher* Audrey Lawlor* Lucas Putman*Third PlaceBusiness Management 
Bernard Roedel*First PlaceComputer Applications 
Joseph SkirpanFifth PlaceComputer Problem Solving 
Rachel Tuman*First PlaceEntrepreneurship 
Ava Compton* Kayla Stokesberry*Second PlaceEntrepreneurship 
Hunter Schmitt* Katherine Shepherd*Fourth PlaceEntrepreneurship 
Gabby Tetreault*First PlaceFuture Business Leader 
Xenia Vivona*First PlaceHelp Desk 
Mackenzie Adams*Third PlaceHospitality & Event Management 
Jayden Kellachow*Fourth PlaceIntroduction to Business Communication 
Adrian Agnello* Weston Nugent*First PlaceIntroduction to Business Presentation 
Raegan Palmer* Colette Schmitt*Second PlaceIntroduction to Business Presentation 
Addison Griffin* Allyson Irvine* Grace Lidy*Fourth PlaceIntroduction to Event Planning 
Allie Pauler*First PlaceIntroduction to FBLA 
Jamie Chapman*Second PlaceIntroduction to FBLA 
Hunter Smith*Third PlaceIntroduction to FBLA 
Rhayni Carroll*First PlaceIntroduction to Parliamentary Procedure 
Taylor Maiocco*Second PlaceIntroduction to Parliamentary Procedure 
Emily Romanowski*Third PlaceIntroduction to Parliamentary Procedure 
Zoe Albitz*First PlaceIntroduction to Public Speaking 
Ethan Lamberton*Second PlaceIntroduction to Public Speaking 
Connor Bryant* Anthony Donnini* David Elias*First PlaceIntroduction to Social Media Strategy 
Jared Goldman* Mason Rush*Second PlaceIntroduction to Social Media Strategy 
Rylee Sheehan*Third PlaceMarketing 
Brandon ClevelandFifth PlaceMarketing 
Ashton Fitzsimmons*Fourth PlaceOrganizational Leadership 
Alex Chapman* Allison McCarthy* Rachel Hoch* Jenna Kwiatkowski* Kaeli Romanowski*First PlaceParliamentary Procedure 
Adelaide Treibley*First PlacePublic Speaking 
Morgan Coccodrilli* Gavin Murphy*Second PlaceSales Presentation 
Lillian MarosThird PlaceSales Presentation 
Lucius Richner Alex EnslinFifth PlaceSports & Entertainment Management 
Marshall Davis*First PlaceWord Processing 
Jared Goldman2022-2023 Region 22 Secretary 

*Eligible to compete at the State Leadership  Conference in Hershey.

Middle School Promotes Reading

Book clubs, book presentations in character, book board games, and book tastings are just some of the classroom projects that Western Wayne Middle School students have been participating in through their English Language Arts classes this year.

ELA teacher Starlah Robbins treated her students to a “book tasting” earlier this year where students sampled a variety of different books in her class. She set up her room like a book café and served as the reading chef.  In addition, Robbins explained other projects she does with her students.

“ I allow class time for independent reading and then do both journaling and book talks,” Robbins explained.  “They discuss conflict, characters, themes, etc. in their books, without giving away any spoilers.  From these talks students make “read next” lists for books that catch their interest. Aside from book talks, students have done book reviews, which is another way for students to see what other good books are out there that they can read.”

Similarly fellow ELA teachers Dawn Krautter and Jessica Fullwood host book talks within their classrooms and say their students truly enjoy being able to read books of their choice and then share their reading experiences with classmates.  This practice helps promote students learning about and choosing a variety of books to read throughout the school year.

Sixth grade ELA teacher Kathleen Petty had her students create and play a book talk board game.

“After reading independently selected sixth grade-appropriate books, the students shared information about their selections as they played the board game,” Petty explained.  “Simultaneously, the other players would record details of the book on their score sheets. The kids were really comfortable discussing and sharing details about their books in a small group setting. This was a fun way to spark student interest in new books. Throughout the game several students exclaimed, ‘I’ve got to read your book!’ It was a great way to break up the regular classroom routine!”

Eighth grade ELA teacher Jessica McLaughlin has her students choose their independent reading books in a variety of categories throughout the school year to help them diversify their reading patterns. For the second quarter, students read a biography or autobiography of their choosing.  As their final book project, they discussed the biography figures they wrote about with their classmates.  Some students dressed in character for the activity.  The students said their favorite part about the project was learning about different people throughout history that they didn’t know existed.

Another way that students are being able to expand their knowledge on a variety of topics through reading comes from an opportunity provided to them by The Wayne County Community Foundation through a project called Building Home Libraries.  The Foundation has donated books to Western Wayne Middle and Elementary schools to help students to build their own home libraries.  All students received books the week of February 7 to take home and enjoy.

Eighth grader Hailey Wasman was excited to get a new book.

“I have been reading a really great series lately, but I am always ready to try out a new story,” Hailey said.

In addition, this coming spring Western Wayne Middle and High School students will participate in NEIU 19’s Virtual Reading Relays where they will get to discuss books in a competitive and friendly way with students throughout the local area.  Western Wayne students are thrilled to have so many different and unique ways to involve reading in their education.

Curriculum Night – February 16th @6:00

Curriculum Night will be held Wednesday, February 16th from 6:00 to 7:00. Administration, Guidance and the Department Heads will go over the curriculum, graduation requirements and the scheduling process.

Freshman Earns Recognition for Poetry

“The silent cries of a blank page/ Waiting for words for an age” writes Western Wayne freshman Lillian Maros in her poem “Rushing Words” which won an Honorable Mention award from Scholastic Art & Writing Awards from The Alliance for Young Artists & Writers.
Lillian entered the contest after having heard about it in one of her classes last year. She is thrilled to have been recognized for her poetry. She has been writing fiction for a number of years now and truly enjoys crafting stories.
She explained the meaning of her poem, “It is about writing a book during COVID times and the pressure of all of that. The poem summarizes my life in general.”
Although Lillian enjoys writing full length stories best, she explained how writing poetry is a fun new challenge for her.
“Poetry is interesting because of all of the rhymes,” she explained. “It is a challenge to come up with many specific words. You have to have a large vocabulary. When I write fiction, I concentrate more on what I would want to read in a book and then try to put that in my stories.”

The full length poem is below:

“Rushing Words”
Blocked by the pain of a lightning-struck tree
Beaten and battered by winds from the sea
Screaming thoughts of inspiration whizzing by at blazing speeds
Small ideas and breakthroughs alike peaking through the weeds
The silent cries of a blank page
Waiting for words for an age
Water slamming against the rocks at the Point
The still, quiet sigh of the glistening pond
The whisper of the Lord’s sweet voice in my ears
The mind screaming of the horrors of school work, health, and all fears
Dreaming of words painting a story
While fears of failure come to worry
Goals upon goals of awards and approval
The dismay of the words they said would come cruel
The hoping and praying for an adventure of my own
The wish for a journey beyond that of my home
Could such exploits only exist in the brain?
Or is it just my want to dance in the rain?
The gift of thoughts flowing like a river
The pride of a medalist who has just won a silver
The confidence of a glorious choir
The constant need to reach higher and higher
The scratching and scraping of a pen on the paper
The paint soaked brush on a canvas is my nature
Words billowing like a raging cascade
Rushing words from which I am made

Western Wayne Middle Schooler Spreads Kindness

“Hope you have a great day!” and “Your day will get better!” are just two of the positive messages that Western Wayne Sixth Grader Grace Owens has written for others around her she thought needed some positive inspiration.

Grace explained that she writes inspirational messages on post it notes for her friends and teachers at Western Wayne Middle School when she knows they are struggling or facing challenges.

“When my one friend was getting braces, I wrote her a note that said she was beautiful no matter what and that it wouldn’t change,” Grace explained.

Grace said she pays attention to how the people around her are feeling and writes them a note when she thinks they need it the most.  She also likes to write cards for her family members.

Grace is a member of student council, basketball, and cheerleading at Western Wayne along with being a teacher for children ages three through five at her church. She is also an honor roll student.

She looks forward to continuing to inspire others around her to feel the positivity she enjoys passing on.